Sports game ring

ABSTRACT

A sports game ring comprising an inflatable ring having a central aperture, opposed top and bottom surfaces having a thickness, inner and outer edge surfaces, wherein the top and bottom surfaces and the inner and outer edge surfaces define an enclosed volume, and wherein the top and bottom surfaces each have a recessed volume therein having a depth less than the thickness of the top and bottom surfaces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sports game pieces, in particular, to sports game rings.

BACKGROUND

Sports game pieces, for example, baseballs, footballs, soccer balls, or hockey pucks, are thrown, kicked, or struck by players and are often propelled at high speeds. These fast-moving sports game pieces can cause significant injury to players when struck.

The size, configuration, and material composition of certain sports game pieces make them more hazardous to players than others. For example, small, solid game pieces made from hard materials, such as baseballs or hockey pucks may cause more serious injuries to players than other larger, inflated game pieces made from softer materials, such as soccer balls.

The safety of sports game pieces used by small children is of particular concern. Accordingly, there is a need for sports game pieces that address the safety concerns of players when thrown, kicked, or struck at high speeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A game ring, according to the present invention, has a central aperture, opposed top and bottom surfaces having a thickness, inner and outer edge surfaces. The top and bottom surfaces and the inner and outer edge surfaces of the ring define an enclosed volume. The top and bottom surfaces each have a recessed volume therein having a depth less than the thickness of the top and bottom surfaces to provide a separation between the ring and a playing surface on which it slides.

In another embodiment, the ring may have one or more additional recesses on the top and bottom surfaces.

In another embodiment, an image is positioned in one or more of the recesses on the ring.

In another embodiment, the game ring, has an inflatable ring with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, opposed top and bottom surfaces having a thickness, inner and outer edge surfaces, a web extending across the inner diameter, and a stabilizing disc of smaller diameter fixed on either side of the web and spaced apart from the web, wherein the top and bottom surfaces and the inner and outer edge surfaces define an enclosed volume.

In another embodiment, the ring is made of a transparent or translucent material and has one or more impact-activated LEDs within the enclosed volume of the ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a game ring, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the game ring.

FIG. 3 is a side-sectional view of the game ring, along the line A-A.

FIG. 4 is a top view of another embodiment of the game ring, showing the web and stabilizing disc.

FIG. 5a is a side-sectional view of the game ring of FIG. 4, along the line B-B.

FIG. 5b is a side-sectional view of the game ring of FIG. 4, along the line B-B, showing the air flow over the ring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A game ring, or ring 1, according to the present invention, may be kicked like a soccer ball and is configured to slide along flat surfaces like a hockey puck. Compared to other sports game pieces, such as baseballs or hockey pucks, the ring 1 is relatively soft so as to minimize the likelihood or severity of injuries caused by an impact on a player's body from the ring 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ring 1 is a generally torus-shaped inflatable ring, or a ring-shaped tube, with a central aperture 3. The ring 1 defines an enclosed volume to permit the ring 1 to be inflated or deflated as required. An optional air valve 4 permits air to be pumped into or released from the ring 1 and is preferably located on the inner edge surface 5 of the ring 1. The inner edge surface 5 of the ring 1 faces the central aperture 3, while the outer edge surface 6 of the ring 1 faces away from the central aperture 3.

The ring 1 is made of a flexible material, such as rubber, latex, PVC, or other suitable material for inflation and holding pressure. The material must be capable of deforming as a result of an external force, such as a kick or an impact with a wall or other object, and then returning to its original shape as a result of the air pressure within the ring 1. Although the ring 1 is described as being inflated with air, other fluids or gels may be used to fill the ring 1 in order to provide the ring 1 with different performance characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ring 1 has opposed top and bottom surfaces 7 and 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the top and bottom surfaces 7 and 8 have a thickness t. A recessed volume, or recess 9, is located in each of the top surface 7 and the bottom surface 8 and provides spacing between the surface of the ring 1 and a playing surface, such as a roadway, as the ring 1 slides therealong. Preferably, more than one recess 9 is located in each of the top and bottom surfaces 7 and 8. The recesses 9 are illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 as having a generally flat bottom surface 9 a and having the shape of a logo, but may have other shapes or configurations.

The recesses 9 have a depth d, which is preferably less than the thickness t of the top and bottom surfaces 7 and 8, and may be about 0.125″. One or more logos, images, or designs may be printed on the bottom surface 9 a of the recesses 9. A protective layer or film may be attached thereover and shaped to cover the logos so as to provide additional protection to the logo from damage or wear. Where protective covers are attached within the recesses 9, they are preferably made from a clear material. Optionally, logos may be printed on the inner edge surface 5 or outer edge surface 6 of the ring 1. The outer edge surface 6 of the ring 1 is preferably free of any recesses 9, so as not to cause unpredictable motion of the ring 1 or increase the likelihood of injury to a player.

In another embodiment, the ring 1 may be fitted within a ring-shaped cover (not shown) shaped complementary to the exterior of the ring 1. The recesses 9 and any logos may be positioned on the cover overlying the corresponding area of the ring 1. The cover may be made of a material similar to a soccer ball to provide the ring 1 with a high-end or professional appearance. The cover may, optionally, have an opening to permit the ingress and egress of the ring 1 therethrough. The opening may be configured so that the ring 1 may be inserted either before or after being inflated. The cover may protect the ring 1 from wear or damage, such as puncture, and may have other desirable characteristics, such as a high (or low) coefficient of friction.

Preferably, the ring 1 has an outer diameter of 9.5″ between opposing sides of the outer edge surface 6 and an inner diameter of 4.5″ between opposing sides of the inner edge surface 5, with a tube diameter of 2.5″ and a wall thickness of 0.125″. The recesses 9, including any protective covers attached therein, have a depth of 0.125′ below the top and bottom surfaces 7 and 8 of the ring 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the wall thickness of the ring 1 may be greater at the top and bottom surfaces 7 and 8 than at the inner and outer edge surfaces 5 and 6. This provides additional wear resistance to the ring 1, since it will generally be sliding along a playing surface on either the top surface 7 or the bottom surface 8. This embodiment is preferred for use on outdoor surfaces, such as pavement, which are likely to be more abrasive than indoor surfaces, such as painted concrete.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 a, the ring 1 may have a web 10 that extends inwardly from the inner edge surface 5 across the central aperture 3, or the inner diameter of the ring 1. A stabilizing disc 11 with a smaller diameter than the web 10 is fixed on either or both sides of the web 10 and is spaced apart from the web 10 and the inner edge surface 5 to allow air to flow between the stabilizing disc 11 and the web 10. As shown in FIG. 5b , the flow of air over the ring 1 is controlled by the stabilizing discs 11. As the ring 1 travels through the air, the air passes over the top and bottom surfaces 7 and 8 and is directed between the stabilizing discs 11 and the web 10. The stabilizing discs 11 thereby promote smooth, level travel of the ring 1 through the air.

Preferably, the web 10 is a solid web about 0.125″ thick and may be formed integrally with the inner edge surface 5 of the ring 1. The stabilizing discs 11 may also provide additional weight to the ring 1, if desired, and may be thicker than the web 10, for example between 0.250″ and 0.375″ thick. The stabilizing discs 11 may be fixed to the web 10 by way of a disc-shaped spacer 12, or any other suitable means of rigidly attaching the stabilizing discs 11 to the web 10, so as to provide a space therebetween. The distance between the web 10 and the stabilizing discs 11 is preferably about 0.125″, but may be adjusted based on the desired air flow about the ring 1.

Optionally, the ring 1 may be made of a transparent or translucent material, which may be coloured or clear. In this embodiment, one or more impact-activated LEDs may be located within the ring 1. They may be fixed to the inside of the ring 1 or move freely therein. When a player kicks the ring 1, the impact-activated LEDs illuminate and shine through the ring 1. This provides an appealing visual effect to the ring 1, particularly for children. The impact-activated LEDs may be configured to remain illuminated or flash for a short duration following impact and may be capable of producing one or more colours of light.

The present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to an exemplary embodiment, however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changed may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the following claims. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game ring, comprising an inflatable ring having a central aperture, opposed top and bottom surfaces having a thickness, inner and outer edge surfaces, wherein the top and bottom surfaces and the inner and outer edge surfaces define an enclosed volume, and wherein the top and bottom surfaces each have a recessed volume therein having a depth less than the thickness of the top and bottom surfaces.
 2. The game ring of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional recesses on the top and bottom surfaces.
 3. The game ring of claim 1, wherein an image is positioned in one or more of the recesses.
 4. The game ring of claim 3, further comprising a protective film over the image in the one or more recesses.
 5. The game ring of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the top and bottom surfaces is thicker than the inner and outer edge surfaces.
 6. The game ring of claim 1, wherein the ring is made of flexible material.
 7. The game ring of claim 1, wherein the enclosed volume is filled with a fluid.
 8. The game ring of claim 7, wherein the fluid is air.
 9. The game ring of claim 8, further comprising an air valve between the enclosed volume and the exterior of the ring.
 10. The game ring of claim 9, wherein the air valve is positioned on the inner edge surface of the ring.
 11. The game ring of claim 1, wherein the enclosed volume is filled with a gel.
 12. The game ring of claim 1, further comprising a cover shaped complementary to the exterior of the ring.
 13. The game ring of claim 12, wherein the cover comprises an opening to permit the ingress and egress of the ring therethrough.
 14. The game ring of claim 1, further comprising a web across the central aperture and a stabilizing disc of smaller diameter fixed on either side of the web and spaced apart from the web.
 15. The game ring of claim 1, wherein the ring is made of a transparent or translucent material.
 16. The game ring of claim 15, further comprising one or more impact-activated LEDs within the enclosed volume of the ring.
 17. A game ring, comprising an inflatable ring having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, opposed top and bottom surfaces having a thickness, inner and outer edge surfaces, a web extending across the inner diameter, and a stabilizing disc of smaller diameter fixed on either side of the web and spaced apart from the web, wherein the top and bottom surfaces and the inner and outer edge surfaces define an enclosed volume.
 18. The game ring of claim 17, wherein the top and bottom surfaces each have one or more recessed volumes therein having a depth less than the thickness of the top and bottom surfaces.
 19. The game ring of claim 18, wherein the thickness of the top and bottom surfaces is thicker than the inner and outer edge surfaces.
 20. The game ring of claim 19, wherein the ring is made of a transparent or translucent material and further comprising one or more impact-activated LEDs within the enclosed volume of the ring. 